Orioles postpone Brooks Robinson sculpture unveiling to Sept. 29

The Orioles announced today that they have moved Brooks Robinson’s statue unveiling from May 12 to Sept. 29.

The move was at the request of the 74-year-old Robinson, who has dealt with cancer scares in the past, but has been recovering slowly from a backwards fall off of a stage on Jan. 27.

“I am sorry I am unable to be there for the original scheduled unveiling of the Brooks Robinson statue,” Robinson said in a team news release. “My wife, family and I have looked forward to this day for a long time. Due to health issues I am unable to participate at this time. We are grateful that the Orioles have offered to reschedule the unveiling and we look forward to celebrating with you in September.”

The Orioles chose to dedicate the six statues of their Hall of Famers once a month this season. The order was determined was by when their respective numbers were retired. Frank Robinson was the first, with his statue unveiled on Saturday. Brooks Robinson wasn’t there, and Frank said he was sending prayers to “my brother.”

The Orioles will now have two statue unveilings in September: Robinson’s on the 29th and Cal Ripken Jr’s on Thursday, Sept. 6, the anniversary of his record-breaking consecutive games streak.

Fans can exchange their May 12 tickets (for the game against Tampa Bay) for the Sept. 29 game (against Boston) – or any non-premium game this year – prior to June 30. That can be done at the Orioles box office or by sending the tickets to the club, attention: May 12 Exchange, 333 W. Camden Street, Baltimore, Md. 21201.

The Brooks Robinson replica statue giveaway will also be moved to Sept. 29. The scheduled giveaway that day, the fans’ choice bobblehead, will be given to the first 20,000 fans 15 or older at the Sunday, Sept. 30 game – the club’s 2012 home finale.